Combined stocking protector and overshoe



Sept. 15, 1931. w. D. WALKER COMBINED STOCKING PROTECTOR AND OVERSHOE Filed Jan. 11, 1926 E'Za'iaZZy caZored razder- INVEN TOR. WaZZace Z2 Wa/Zk'ar- A TTORNE Y.

Patented Sept. 15, 1931 PATENT orrica WALLACE 'n. WALKER, on ras'rmma comrm, or SYLVANIA Application filed January '11,

This invention relates to waterproof foot: wear and has for its object to improve upon the heavy and bulky womens galoshes now in common use.

The only change made in these articles for many years has been in the replacement of buckles or clasps by a slide actuated interlocking fastener within the past three years. Although these galoshes I use,'they are still made of heavy rubberized black fabric with heavy sole and vamp, and

wide heel, and in addition coigmonly have a heavy cuff at the top fastene by snap buttons. tic cloth and stiffness of bottom, little or no effort at fit or style is attempted by the manufacturer, and the user commonly buys oversize in order to fit different shoes. Frequently also, the custom is to have a loose or bootlike top which still further increases the bulk and weight and decreases the fit. None of these rubberized cloth galoshes are or can be made in colors to match shoes, hose, skirts, or colored raincoats, nor of the desired light weight and smallness of bulk to meet the best style and utility requirements, and to pack in small space.

According to this invention, a combined stocking protector and overshoe is provided 0 consisting of light weight and elastic foot fittin and ankle encircling portions, with prefheel, and closed by a slide actufit the foot and ated interlocking fastener to convenient an ankle tightly. The most ornamental location for the front, but it could be at the side or at the rear. The employment of type of fastener is practically essential in producing a successful light weight footwear for this field inasmuch as clasps or buttons are not only unsightly and inconvenient to operate, desired fit. Also, they do not evenly distribute the strain as is-required in order to me vent the light weight, rubber coated fabric have gone into wide Because of the heaviness of the inelasp d and rubber are both integral withthe fastener is in the slide actuated butv will also gape and prevent the MEADTTILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNf JR i130; HOOKLESS MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, A

com'oaa'lrron or PENN- COMBINED STOCKING PROTECTOR AND OVERSHOE 1926. Serial in. 80,422.

used from tearing. An article embodying this invention can be made in various colors, and while largely replacing galoshes is of such small bulk as to roll and be easily carried in a small package.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig; 1 is a perspective of one embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 2 shows how the overshoe fits up under the instep.

Fig. 3 is Fig. 1.

Referring to the rotector and overshoe comprises a vamp or portion 10, havingEa light flexible sole 8 and elastic strap 9 fitting over the heel of the shoe for retaining the overshoe in place. The heel is preferably cut out as shown, similarly to a sandal. The top part of the overshoe and stocking protector comprises a light weight elastic ankle encircling portion 11 which is slit longitudinally to facilitate tak- 1 ing off and putting on. The portion 11 is composed in the major part thereof of elastic material extending all the; way around the ankleand comprisesa layer of light weight elastic fabric vulcanized to an outer sheet of light weight waterproof elastic material preferably rubber and is suitably colored. This fabric and rubber are constructed to be elastic in one direction, that is, transversely, but relatively inelastic in the other or longitudinal direction.

a section on the line 3a.3a of foot-fitting vamp or foot-fitting portion 10, the latter having the rubber much thicker to withstand rough usage and wear.

In order for the ankle encircling portion to be glove-fitting, itshould stretch in all parts and not more in some parts than in others.

close the longitudinal slit. In the form il-' lustrated, this fastener is located at the front, although it .will be understood that this fasdrawings, this stocking ankle encircling The fabric I A substantially continuous fastener is therefore used to progressively open and tener may belocated at the side or rear and yet function to enable the foot to be inserted and withdrawn without undul stretching the ankle encircling portion. Xnother requisite for the close fitting ankle encircling portion 11 is that it must be flexible to conform to the curvature of the foot. One form of appropriate fastener, for example, is disclosed in Patent #1,243,458 dated October 16, 1917, wherein a plurality of locking members 12 are arranged in closely spaced relation along opposite edges of fabric stringers and operatedby a slider. These strin ers are secured to the sides of the slit and a slider 13 controls the engagement and disengagement of said fastener members. 19 is a metal bottom member to stop the slider and prevent tearing. 20 is a reinforcement extendin longitudinally beyond the slit "and slightly under the sole to distribute the closing strain so as not to cause tearing across the foot fitting portion below the fastener. Specifically as shown the reinforcement 20 for the front opening protector'extends on to the foot fitting portion. For ornament as well' as strength, this reinforcement can be extended up each side as shown in Figs-1 and 3. The fabric stringers 15 are preferably vulcanized between rubber sheets 20, 20, as in Fig. 3. Tongue 16 prevents the metal parts of the fastener from contacting with the hose, as in Fig. 3. The fastener slit preferably extends down the'anlgle encircling portion 11 and a short distance into the foot fitting por tion 10, whereby removal and putting on of the overshoe is made-easy. The foot fitting and ankle encircling portions 10 and 11 of this overshoe and the strap 9 may be variously colored, or to match whatever color hose is used, or to match the wearers shoes, skirt or coat, or the strap 9 in foot fittingportion 10 may be made of one color to agree with the shoes while the ankle encircling portion 11 may be made of another color. As shown in Fig. 2, the sole is carried back and upward as at 18, with elastic edge 21 to closely fit the shoe arch, and far enough to reduce any tendency for water to leak inside.

ong the advantages of this invention may be mentioned its neatness, lightness, and capacity of being rolled up in a small package to fit in a traveling bag or elsewhere without occupying the same space as rubbers or galoshes. Being light in weight and glove-fitting, the overshoe is comfortable, warm, and effective as a stocking protector. Having the ankle encircling portion 11 made of material which is relatively inelastic Iongitudinally, prevents the portion of the overshoe 18 under the instepfrom pulling down upon the ankle encircling portion ll and therefore helps keep the part 18 closely fitting up under the instep and off the ground. owever, the ankle encircling portion 11 is made elastic in'transverse direction, that is,

. the elements closed, the ed each side of said slit, the on one side interlocking with around the ankle and lower leg so that a trim and stylish appearance is presented showing the contour of the shoe and ankle and not presenting the bulky, cumbersome appear-- ance that is the case with the ordinary galosh. Theuse of a fastener which exerts substantially continuous tension enables lighter material to be used by distributing the strains more uniformly than could buttonsor clasps. This overshoe is comfortable for walking, it being better adapted to conform to the motion of the foot to low shoes or slippers, although it is equally capable of use with high shoes.

I am aware that various stretchable and nonstretchable fabrics have been used in footwear, and that the use of slide actuated interlocking fasteners in footwear is not broadly new, but I am not aware that such feature have heretofore been combined in the novel manner here disclosed to produce an overshoe especially for womens wear meeting the demands of fit, style, color, light ness, etc. herein before stated.

I claim: v

1. A combined stocking protector and overshoe comprising a foot fitting portion, an attached ankle encircling portion, the major part of which is of light weight elastic material and having a longitudinal slit, a plurality of closely spaced fastener elements along 'each side of said slit, the fastener elements on one side interlocking with the elements on the other whereby, when closed, the edges of the slit are adjacent and the ankle encircling portion is stretched to effect the desired fit, and"a reinforcement extending from the end of the slit on to the foot fitting portion to distribute the closing strain and to prevent tearin 2. A com ined stocking protector and overshoe comprising a foot fitting portion of rubbercoated fabric, a strap embodied therein to engage the heel and hold the foot fitting porand ankle than an ordinary galosh. This invention is especially adapted tion in position, an attached light weight suitably colored ankle encirclin .portion of coated fabric, the major art 0 which is'of elastic material 'adapte transversely than longitudinally and having a slit, a plurality of closely spaced fastener elements along each side of said slit, the fastener elements on one side interlocking with on the other whereby, when ges of the slit are adjacent and theankle enclrcling portion is stretched to efiect the desired fit. I 3. A shoe comprising a foot fitting portion, an attached ankle encircling portion, the major part of which is of light weight elastic material and havinga longitudinal slit, a plurality of closely spaced fastener elements along fastener elements the elements on to, stretch more i combinedstocking protector and overthe other whereby, when closed, the edges of the slit are adjacent and the ankle encircling portion is stretched to effect the desired-fit, and a strap embodied in the foot fitting portion to engage the heel and hold the foot fitting portion in position. s 4:, A combined stocking protector and overshoe comprising a foot fitting portion, an attached ankle encircling portion, the major part of which is of light weight elastic material and having a longitudinal slit, a plurality of closely spaced fastener elements along each side of said slit, thefastener elements on one side interlocking with the elements on the other whereby, when closed, the edges of the slit are adjacent and the ankle encircling portion is stretched to efli'ect the desired fit, a reinforcement extending from the end of the slit on to the foot fitting portion to distribute the closing strain and to prevent tear- 111g, portion to engage the heel and hold the foot fittingL portion in position.

5. combined stocking protector and overshoe comprising a foot fitting portion, an I attached ankle encircling portion, the major part of which is of light weight elastic material and having a longitudinal slit, a plurality of closely spaced fastener elements along each side of said slit, the fastener elements on one side alternating and interlocking with the elements on the other side, a sliding device for progressively locking and unlocking said members, whereby when closed the edges'ofthe slit are adja ent and the material is stretched around he ankle encircling portion to effect thedesired fit, and

a reinforcement extending from the end of the slit on to the foot fitting portion to dis- 40 tribute the closing strain and prevent tearing.

6. A combined stocking protector and overshoe comprising a foot fitting portion, an attached ankle encircling portion, the major as part of which is of light weight elastic material adap" ed to stretch more transversely than longitudinally and having a slit extending partly into the front of the foot fitting portion, a plurality of closely spaced fastener elements along each side of saidslit, the fastener elements on one side interlocking with the elements on the other whereby, when closed, the edges the ankle encircling portion is stretched to 65 effect the desired fit,.and a reinforcement ex-' tending from the end of the slit on to the foot fitting portion to distribute the closing strain and prevent tearing. s

7. A combined stocking protectorand overshoe comprising a foot fitting portion, an attached ankle encircling portion, the major part of which is of light weight elastic material and having a-slit extending artly into the front of the foot fitting-porton, a plurality of closely spaced and a strap embodied in the foot fitting of the slit are adjacent and fastener elements along each side of said slit, the fastener elements on one side interlocking with the ele ments on the other whereby, when closed, the edges of the slit are adjacent and the ankle encircling portion is stretched to effect the desired fit, and a reinforcement extending from the end of the slit on to the foot fitting portion to distribute the closing strain, said reinforcement extending upwardly along each side of the slit.

8. A combined stocking protector and overshoe comprising a foot fitting portion with an open heel, a strap embodied therein to engage the heel of the shoe and hold the foot fitting portion in position, an attached ankle encircling portion, the major part of which is of light weight elastic material capable of being colored to match the wearers apparel and adapted to stretch 'more transversely than longitudinally, said ankle encircling por' ion having a longitudinal slit, a plurality of closely spaced fastener elements along each side of said slit, the fastener elements on one side interlocking with the elements on the other whereby, when closed, the edges of the slit are adjacent and the ankle encircling portion is stretched to effect the desired fit, said slit extending partly into the foot fitting portion, and a reinforcement extending from the end of the slit on to the foot fitting portion to distribute the closing strain and prevent tearing and extending upwardly on each side of the slit.

9. A combined stocking protector and overshoe comprising a foot fitting portion, an attached ankle encircling portion, the ma or part of which is of light weight elastic material and having a longitudinal slit," a plurality of closely spaced fastener elements along each side of said slit, the fastener elements on one side interlocking with the elements on the other whereby, when closed, the edges of the slit are adjacent and the ankle encircling portion is stretched to effect the desired fit,-a strap embodied in the foot fitting portion to engage the heel and hold the foot fitting portion in position, the sole of the foot fitting portion extending'upwardly and rear- Wardly beneath thearch of the foot and provided with an elastic edge and held tightly against the arch by the pull of the strap and the fastening means.

10'. A combined stocking protector and overshoe comprising a foot fitting portion, an attached ankle encircling portion, the ma or part of which is of light weight elastic material and having a lon 'tudinal sl'it, a plurality of closely spaced astener elements along each'side of said. slit, the fastener elements on one side interlocking with the elements on the other whereby, when closed, the edges of the slit are adjacent and the ankle encircling portion is stretched to effect the desired fit, a strap-embodied in the foot fitting portion to engage'the heel and hold the foot fit- 0 ting portion in position, a relnrorcement extending from the end of the slit on to the foot fitting portion to distribute the closin strain and prevent'tearin the sole of the Foot fitting portion'exten ing upwardly and rearwardly beneath the arch of the foot and pro vided with an elastic edge and held tightly against the arch by the pull of the strap and the fastenin means.

Signed at llew York in the county of New York and State of New York this 8th day of January A. D. 1926.

W ALLACE D. WALKER. 

